Difficult times. It's a phrase that aptly describes our circumstances today. A two-thousand-year old catalog of human behavior describing these times is spot-on:
"For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power" (2 Timothy 3.2-5)
What's a believer to do? In a last-days world where menacing dark shadows grow, do we surrender to pessimism and cynicism? Do we retreat, and isolate? This much is certain: we do as the apostle Paul instructed Timothy:
"You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3.14-15)
Stay the course. In fact, redouble effort to stay the course. Regardless of the times, the course remains. Be a person "of the book". Get in to the word, and allows the word to get in to you. Know it, and live it. Let it have its perfect effect in equipping you for lifestyle.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3.16-17)
Let's be clear on the priority: be a student of the Book, not books about the Book. While there are many good supplemental devotionals, lessons, and sermons available, nothing substitutes for firsthand reading and study. What others say and write about it may be interesting and helpful, but replying on these tools is about like substituting dessert for key nutrients in your food diet. Firsthand study and application is always the priority of the day, and especially in the last days.
Honestly, ask yourself: how much personal time am I investing in Bible reading and study? Not time in devotional books and guides, but the Bible itself. And, how careful am I to apply what I read and study? Am I allowing God's word to truly equip me "for every good work"?
Times are tough. But, God's word is still His tool to prepare God's people to live for Him, regardless of the times.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
"For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power" (2 Timothy 3.2-5)
What's a believer to do? In a last-days world where menacing dark shadows grow, do we surrender to pessimism and cynicism? Do we retreat, and isolate? This much is certain: we do as the apostle Paul instructed Timothy:
"You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3.14-15)
Stay the course. In fact, redouble effort to stay the course. Regardless of the times, the course remains. Be a person "of the book". Get in to the word, and allows the word to get in to you. Know it, and live it. Let it have its perfect effect in equipping you for lifestyle.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3.16-17)
Let's be clear on the priority: be a student of the Book, not books about the Book. While there are many good supplemental devotionals, lessons, and sermons available, nothing substitutes for firsthand reading and study. What others say and write about it may be interesting and helpful, but replying on these tools is about like substituting dessert for key nutrients in your food diet. Firsthand study and application is always the priority of the day, and especially in the last days.
Honestly, ask yourself: how much personal time am I investing in Bible reading and study? Not time in devotional books and guides, but the Bible itself. And, how careful am I to apply what I read and study? Am I allowing God's word to truly equip me "for every good work"?
Times are tough. But, God's word is still His tool to prepare God's people to live for Him, regardless of the times.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
posted by steve @ 9:02 AM
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